New Police Station Unveiled

Lighthouse Point Throws Party On 50th Anniversary

June 18, 2006|By Macollvie Jean-Franois Staff Writer and Staff Researcher William Lucey contributed to this report.

Lighthouse Point — Jean Taylor moved to this city nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and larger burgs of Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach 30 years ago because it felt safe -- like a small town.

Taylor, 75, says it still does. As she watched officials raise the American flag outside the Lighthouse Point Police Department's new headquarters Saturday, she said the cruisers constantly patrolling the town's 2.3 square miles has a lot to do with that feeling.

"Subconsciously you don't think about it," Taylor said. "But you see them and you know that they're doing their job. They're taking care of us."

About 150 residents attended the unveiling ceremony at 3701 NE 22nd Ave, one of several events part of the town's 50th birthday celebrations. They toured the well lit, freshly painted, retrofitted 15,000-square-foot building that was once the North Broward Preparatory School. Some looked for the two-way mirror they've seen on television police dramas. Parents joked about locking up their children in the new holding cells.

Down the street, kids jumped inside the bounce house set up in front of the fire station and families visited the library, which held the groundbreaking for its expansion on Saturday as well.

Neighbors and town officials greeted each other by first names.

In the evening, hundreds headed to a concert and fireworks display at Frank McDonough Park.

Longtime residents say the camaraderie is as old as the town, which has gone through many changes since they voted to incorporate in June 1956. From about 600 then, the population is now more than 11,200. Large homes sit on what was once farmland and mangrove swamps.

Some residents say the recent development of multi-million dollar houses dilutes Lighthouse Point's small-town flavor. But children still ride bicycles to the library, neighbors continue swapping spare keys and boaters navigate its waterways.

"It has stayed beautiful," said Dorothy West, whose house was the third on Northeast 33rd Street when her family moved in 46 years ago. "It's retained its value. People take care of their properties."

Staff Researcher William Lucey contributed to this report.

Macollvie Jean-Franois may be reached mjfrancois@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4694.